Keywords

Selective mutism; social anxiety; treatment; mobile applications; ipad

Abstract

Selective mutism (SM) is a diagnosis marked by withdrawal of speech in certain social situations. The treatment of SM is often a difficult and lengthy process and there are many barriers to successful intervention. Behavioral therapy is most effective in the treatment of SM and the addition of therapeutic activities such as games and mobile devices may provide distinct advantages to this treatment (i.e., decreased patient anxiety levels and more active engagement). The current investigation examined the utility of mobile applications during the behavioral treatment of SM as well as the effect of using mobile applications on child-reported and physiological indicators of anxious responding. Results indicated that children made remarkable treatment gains in just two treatment sessions (i.e., spoke to the clinician within 22 minutes of treatment and held five, five-minute conversations with additional adults during a second session) regardless of modality of delivery (using mobile applications, other activities, or reinforcement alone). Children shaped to speak with the inclusion of mobile applications reported less anxiety and exhibited decreased physiological anxious distress during treatment. The utility of mobile applications during the treatment of SM is discussed in addition to areas for future research (e.g., mobile-based treatment dissemination initiatives).

Notes

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Graduation Date

2015

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Beidel, Deborah

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree Program

Psychology; Clinical Psychology

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0005767

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0005767

Language

English

Release Date

August 2020

Length of Campus-only Access

5 years

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Sciences; Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic

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